Don’t Get Hung Out to Dry: How to Save Money on Laundry

How to Save Money on Laundry: 11 Effective Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Your Clothes

You might not think about it when you’re considering your finances, but knowing how to save money on laundry day can actually be a huge advantage to your budget.

There are a lot of costs associated with laundry. You’ve got detergent, hydro bills, and equipment to worry about.

If you live in a building that doesn’t have on-site laundry, or that has coin operated laundry, you also have to worry about those costs.

At Caddle, we want to help Canadians save money. That’s why we want you to know how to save money on laundry costs so your budget stays where you need it to be. You no longer have to dread laundry day!

1. Inspect Before You Wash

Before you throw something in the dirty laundry, consider how many times you’ve worn it. Sometimes we wear something for a few hours, then throw it into the laundry out of habit when it really isn’t dirty.

Unless you spilled something on your shirt within the few hours you wore it, but it back in the closet and give it another wear before you consider it dirty.

2. Wash in Cold Water

Washing your clothes in cold water can help you cut back on hydro costs because you can save the energy it takes to heat up the water. In fact, you could save enough energy for 220 showers a year- just from using cold water!

It’s also a great way to help protect your clothing and prevent shrinking.

3. Use Vinegar for Fabric Softener

Did you know that a cap full of vinegar in the fabric softener spot does the trick just as well as any store-bought product? As a bonus, the vinegar will clean out your machine at the same time.

You can also add ½ a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle to get the full effects. Vinegar is much cheaper than fabric softener, and even though it sounds strange, it won’t make your clothing smell like vinegar.

4. Wait for a Full Load

To save costs, whether you’re at home or at the laundromat, wait until you have a full load to do your laundry. This helps to make sure you get your money’s worth at the laundromat or on your hydro bill.

If you need a specific item and can’t wait until laundry day, consider washing it by hand.

5. Measure Your Detergent

When you freepour your detergent, you will always use more than you need for your load. It might not seem like much, but that extra detergent you use can really add up, and you could end up wasting enough for a few loads per bottle.

In fact, you don’t actually need to use the recommended amount. Depending on how dirty your clothes are, you can get away with using half of what the bottle says to use, and your clothes will be just as clean.

6. Use Generic Products

Most generic laundry product brands are just as good as the bigger brand names, but without the high price tag. Try going for a store brand, and you likely won’t even notice the difference.

If you really can’t live without your favourite laundry soap brand, check for coupons and discounts in the weekly store flyers.

7. Make Your Own Detergent

Sometimes making your own DIY laundry detergent is the most cost efficient option. It’s also something to consider to avoid running out of laundry soap at the last minute.

You don’t have to be a chemist to mix up some detergent, either. It’s easy to do so, and you can use many things you probably already have in your home.

Here are 10 different DIY laundry soap recipes you can try. There are a variety of choices, so there’s something for any preference you might have.

8. Use Dryer Balls Instead of Dryer Sheets

What exactly is a dryer ball?

It’s a fabric ball that you add to your dryer with your laundry instead of a dryer sheet. It bounces around during the laundry cycle, helping air to circulate around the clothes. This makes them dry faster, eliminating the amount of time and energy you use.

They’ll also help prevent static in place of a dryer sheet.

If you don’t want to purchase dryer balls, a cost-efficient solution is to make your own. Use this DIY dryer ball tutorial to get started.

9. Hang Your Clothes to Dry

It’s summer, and that means it’s sunny and warm outside. Take advantage of the weather and hang out clothes outside to dry.

Avoiding the dryer can save you a ton of money on hydro costs.

Here’s another bonus: hanging your clothes to dry instead of putting them in the dryer can also help you preserve the life of your clothes and make them last longer. It’s also another great way to avoid shrinking your favourite shirt!

10. Buy Used Laundry Machines

When you’re just starting out as a homeowner and have just bought your first home, there’s a lot of expenses to worry about. Don’t let a new washer and dryer be one of those things.

Check websites like Kijiji for people who are selling used laundry machines. You can get them for a lot less, and most of the time they work fine.

The cost of owning your own laundry machine is beneficial in the long run if you can afford the upfront cost. Consider how much you spend every time you do laundry. Your machine could likely pay for itself within a year or two.

11. Use Caddle to Save on Laundry Detergent

Take advantage of this week’s laundry detergent offer. We’re giving you cash back just for purchasing laundry detergent at any store in Canada!

Caddle helps Canadians earn cash back on their everyday purchases. One trip to the grocery store could earn you a little more money for your summer budget. All you have to do is upload your receipt.

You can also earn cash back through participating in surveys and engaging in our Flash Friday offers! With so many ways to earn, and new offers coming out every Thursday, there’s no reason not to get involved.

Download Caddle now to take advantage of this week’s offers, and don’t miss out on more money saving opportunities!